SYLLABUS - PORTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE

CAS 213 - JavaScript and JQuery for Designers, 4 credits

Instructor: Dr. Ron Bekey

Fall Term 2017 Revised 9/12/17

Note: This course is hosted in Desire2Learn, which is a Learning Management System (LMS) for the Internet. If this is your first time using Desire2Learn, I highly recommend that you work carefully through the Intro to Online Learning, which is the first link under the Table of Contents. If you are taking a Distance Learning section and you have general questions about Distance Learning, go to the Distance Learning web site: http://www.distance.pcc.edu .

Office Address: Sylvania Campus TCB 312, Portland Community College, 12000 SW 49th Ave., Portland

Mailing Address: Ron Bekey, CIS/CAS, Sylvania TCB 312, Portland Community College, PO Box 19000, Portland, OR 97280-0990

Office Phone: 971-722-4084*

E-mail:

Class Schedule: Click this link (no password required)

Instructor web site: http://spot.pcc.edu/~rbekey

Class web site:

* This is NOT the best way to contact me. I am not on campus every day, but I check my e-mail several times a day. If you leave a message on my phone, I may not get it for 2 or 3 days.


COURSE DESCRIPTION: Develops skills to find, utilize and modify JavaScript and JQuery resources on the Internet. Explores a variety of interactive effects such as displaying and hiding text or images, filling out form fields automatically, creating interactive maps or calendars, and creating DHTML windows.

COURSE OUTCOMES: After successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

PREREQUISITES: CAS 206 or instructor permission. You are expected to be very comfortable creating CSS from scratch (without using a tool that creates it for you), creating a web page with HTML, uploading pages with FTP, and creating a web site consisting of multiple pages with links, images, tables, and forms using pure HTML (not just Dreamweaver). This class will be very difficult for you if you do not have this experience.


TEXT & MATERIALS:

Required TEXTS:

There are TWO textbooks for this class, and both of them are REQUIRED. Please get them ASAP, as we will use them the first week of class. If you order books online, please have them sent overnight or second-day air so you don't fall behind in the class:

  1. A Smarter Way to Learn JavaScript, Mark Myers, ISBN-10: 1497408180; ISBN-13: 978-1497408180

  2. A Smarter Way to Learn jQuery, Mark Myers, ISBN-10: 1523986468; ISBN-13: 978-1523986460

    From the PCC bookstore: http://bookstore.pcc.edu/store1/SelectCourses.aspx?src=2&type=2&stoid=41&trm=Summer%2017&cid=30552

    From Amazon: http://a.co/1wE0rLZ (JavaScript) and http://a.co/7qZKywu (jQuery).

    WARNING ABOUT THE DIGITAL VERSIONS: If you don't have 2 screens, I do NOT recommend the digital version. It is very difficult to go back and forth between the instructions and your code on the same monitor and type code while referring to instructions. This works fine if you have a computer with 2 monitors, or if you have an IPAD or Android tablet so you can view two screens at once.

Required SOFTWARE:

You can use either a PC or a Mac for this class. JavaScript runs equally well on either platform, and the exercises will work equally well on both types of computers. Your instructor has both a PC and a Mac.

The following (free) programs are required: Chrome, Firefox and Brackets. See Assignment 1 Part 3 for instructions on how to install and configure Brackets.

Required Materials (available at PCC Sylvania bookstore and local office supply or computer stores):

* If you store your data on your hard drive, you *must* keep a backup on some other media or on the cloud! Hard drives fail eventually, and you don't want to lose your data!


COURSE FORMAT:

All of my classes are taught in a "Distance*" or "Hybrid**" format. Some classes have sections in more than one format during the same term. If your class has a "Hybrid" section, you are encouraged to come to the class sessions when you can, even if you signed up for a "Distance" section.

All of my classes use the Desire2Learn Learning Management System (LMS). See Class Web Site above for login information.

If you are in a "Distance" section, you are expected to log in on the first day of the term. Students who do not complete the "Wizard" on the Home Page by Wednesday night of the first week may be dropped from the class. If you are in a "Hybrid" or campus section, you can login anytime during the first week, but I will go over the process in detail in the first class.

All handouts and class materials will be posted on the web. All assignments will be turned in from the web also; further information on this will be presented as part of the first week's assignment.

*Distance: These classes are taught entirely over the Web. Interaction with other students and the instructor takes place by posting messages on a Bulletin Board (Discussion Board) and e-mail. I also use a number of my own components using the ColdFusion scripting language. Some sections share a web site with an on-campus class. If you are in one of those classes, I will give you information on campus meetings so that you can attend them if you wish.

**Hybrid or "Blended": These classes are a "combination" of Distance and regular classroom format. They usually meet once a week on campus, instead of the usual twice a week. You are expected to come to the session on campus each week, where I will present a "lecture" on that week's information and answer any questions you may have about the assignments. The class session is also a good time for me to work with you in person if you want extra help on anything. Most of your work for the class will be done on your own time, at home or in a computer lab.


PROJECTS & ASSIGNMENTS:

1. Instructor-written assignments: There will be an assignment each week* telling you what is expected; in most cases, the assignment will be due one week later. All assignments will be posted on the web.

2. Bulletin Board (Discussion Board): In order to get the most from this class, students must interact frequently with each other and with the instructor. To encourage this, you will be required to post messages every week as a part of your grade for each assignment. This is true for all of my classes, including those that meet only on campus. Detailed instructions on what I expect will be found with each assignment.

PROTECTING YOUR WORK:

TURNING IN ASSIGNMENTS:


EXAMS:

There will be a Midterm and a Final (both will be on-line) that will assess your understanding of the concepts taught in the class. These will consist of multiple choice, matching, or true-false questions.

GRADING:

Your class grade will be based on your total performance. A standard grading scale (90-100%=A, 80-90%=B, 65-80%=C, 50-65%=D) will be used. I do not grade specifically on attendance, but those who attend regularly* will get the next-higher grade if their grade comes out close to the next grade up at the end of the class (79%, 89%, etc.).

Assignments: 80%
Midterm: 10%
Final Exam: 10%
-----------------
Total 100%

If you wish to AUDIT the class, you must let me know by Thursday the first week of the term. Auditing students will still need to attend class*, but will not be expected to turn in assignments.

* "Attendance" in Distance sections means that you are logging in, reading bulletin board messages, and posting bulletin board messages regularly.

ACADEMIC HONESTY & COOPERATIVE WORK:

You are encouraged to work with other students on assignments. However, what you turn in must be a product of your own efforts*. Programming and writing assignments are creative processes, and each student will be expected to come up with his/her own solution to each problem. If identical or nearly identical work is turned in by more than one student, all students involved will receive ONE WARNING. If it happens again, those students will receive a "0" for the assignment(s) and will be referred to the Dean of Students for disciplinary action.

*Some students have "copied" work from other students that was posted on the Web server. Do not be tempted to do this. I have a lot of skill in identifying work that has been copied and modified. Please, if you have trouble with an assignment, contact me or other students in the class and ask for help. You will not learn anything by copying.

In some classes I post answers for class assignments in a format that is available only to those who have completed the assignment. You are NOT permitted to share those with students who are still working on the assignment--that is considered cheating and will be treated the same way as described above.

The full PCC policy on academic honesty may be found at: http://www.pcc.edu/resources/academic/academic-policy/academic-integrity.html  


COMPUTER LABS:

Distance Learning Classes: I do not recommend trying to complete a Distance Learning class entirely in one of the PCC computer labs. They have SOME of the software you will need, but NOT ALL! Also, there are some activities that we will do that will be difficult or impossible to do from a computer lab, due to security restrictions in the PCC labs. If you need to do the class entirely in a computer lab, please take one of the campus-based or "hybrid" sections instead.

1. Student Computing Centers (CSC's):

a. Sylvania: This lab is open 7 days a week. Before you can use it, you will need to complete the orientation at the Sylvania CSC. The sign-up is no longer available online--see this page for information: http://www.pcc.edu/resources/computer-labs/sylvania/ . The Sylvania CSC should have most of the software you will need for my classes.

b. Other campuses: Go to this page: http://www.pcc.edu/resources/computer-labs/ . Warning: The CSE Validator software I use for CAS 111D, CAS 213, CAS 214 and CAS 215 and the TopStyle software I used for CAS 215 is not installed in any of the CSC's, as far as I know. This software is available in the CAS computer lab at Sylvania (see below), or you can use Dreamweaver in Code View. If you plan to use a lab at another campus, be sure to call first and be sure they have the software you need before you drive over there.

2. Department Computer Labs (PCC Sylvania):

a. CAS Lab*: The CAS Lab (SS 202 at PCC Sylvania) is available to all CAS students, including those in both "hybrid" and "distance" sections of CAS 111D, CAS 213, CAS 214 and CAS 215. Hours should be posted on the door by the second week of the term; it is usually open several hours each day from Monday - Friday.  Note that SS 202 is ONLY for the use of students in CAS classes.

* This lab may not be available during summer term.

3. Tutors:

Tutors are available for many CIS classes and a few CAS classes. Be sure to check the schedule and go when the tutor you are wanting will be available. The schedule changes every term, so this schedule will probably be for the previous term until it is updated: http://spot.pcc.edu/computers/tutors.htm .


HOW TO CONTACT ME:

  1. If you have questions about the assignments, corrections, or suggestions to help other students, please post them to the Bulletin Board (Discussions) area. You are required to post or reply to at least one message in this area every week. You will find a link to this on the class Home Page.

  2. If you have questions that are personal, such as about your grade on an assignment, how you are doing in the class, or if you want to make a personal appointment with me for more help, please email me by clicking the Instructor E-mail icon on the class Home Page.

  3. Students in "hybrid" or campus-based courses are encouraged to talk to me in class, after the lecture, instead of by e-mail. Bring your assignments with you on a flash drive so we can work through your problem in person.

  4. E-mail:

  1. (Telephone: 503-977-4084). I put this in parentheses, because it is NOT the best way to contact me. I am not on campus every day, but I check my e-mail several times a day. If you leave a message on my phone, I may not get it for 2 or 3 days.

Distance Students: I will try to solve your problem by e-mail first, then telephone, then in person. Note that I do not normally work evenings as I put in a lot of hours during the day, but I will make exceptions if that is the only time you can meet me.

  1. Office Hours: I do not have regular "office hours" for this class, as I answer questions continually through the Bulletin Board and e-mail (see above). If you want more help with an assignment than you can get through the Bulletin Board or e-mail, please e-mail me and request a telephone or in-person appointment. I am usually available to meet with students from Monday-Friday during normal working hours. If you work full-time, I will try to find a time that works for both of us as early as possible in the evening. You may also find a tutor helpful. See: http://spot.pcc.edu/computers/tutors.htm .

HOW TO CONTACT OTHER STUDENTS:

  1. Bulletin (Discussion) Board: The Bulletin Board will be your main method of communication with other students in the class. I will post messages there occasionally, but I will use it primarily as a place for students to help each other. I strongly encourage you to use the Bulletin Board frequently, to ask questions, help other students, or simply to "chat" with other students in the class. To encourage use of the Bulletin Board, you are required to post or reply to at least one message every week as part of your assignments.

ALWAYS SELECT A TOPIC before you compose (create) a message for the Bulletin Board. This will help to keep the hundreds of messages organized and make it easier to follow. Also, I can only give you credit for a Bulletin Board posting if it is in the correct Topic.

You are required to check in to your e-mail and Bulletin Board at least every other day during the course. This will make it much easier to keep up with the course, as other students and I are continually posting information as issues come up with the assignments. It is also much easier to keep up with the Bulletin Board when you look at it frequently, instead of having to go through dozens of messages at once.

NETIQUETTE: "Netiquette" is a term that is used for "etiquette" on the Internet. I expect all messages posted on the Bulletin Board or sent as emails to me or other students to be respectful and courteous. If there is something you don't like about the course or you find mistakes in the assignments, you are welcome to e-mail me about it, but I expect your messages to be respectful and courteous. If I notice that you are posting or sending messages that do not meet this standard, you will receive one warning. If it happens again, I will refer you to one of the Deans at PCC, I may cut off your ability to post or send messages and your grade in the class may be reduced. I also reserve the right to delete any messages on the Bulletin Board that do not seem appropriate or respectful. For examples of good and bad techniques in e-mail and Bulletin Board or Newsgroup postings, try these links: http://www.albion.com/netiquette/corerules.html, http://www.kassj.com/netiquette/netiquette.html, http://www.iwillfollow.com/email.htm .


ATTENDANCE:  

* in Distance sections, "attendance" means that you are checking into the class and reading and posting Bulletin Board messages regularly.
    1. Campus sections only: If you miss class for any reason, it is your responsibility to obtain any handouts you missed, notes taken by other students during class, and/or any announcements that I made regarding labs, exams or other issues. You should be able to find most of these materials on the web site, but do not count on that only. Be sure to check in with other students to be sure you didn't miss any handouts, announcements or other class activities. Do not ask me for handouts if you miss class; it is your responsibility to get them from the web site or other students.

    2. Campus sections only: Missing a class is not an acceptable excuse for handing in work late. Late penalties and cut-off dates will still apply.

LATE ASSIGNMENT POLICY:

1. There is a STRICT DEADLINE for every assignment. This is for your own good:

2. You will have one more week after the deadline to submit your work (until the "late" deadline) with a reduction in credit. The penalty is 10% per day for up to 7 days. This policy applies only to assignments, not quizzes or exams, which have strict deadlines and cannot be turned in late. In addition, there is an automatic 50% penalty on late Discussion Board postings, because they have much less value when the rest of the class has moved on to the next assignment. Lastly, in Assignment 1, all of the auto-graded items are 50% off if they are late.

3. After the "late" deadline, you will not receive any credit for the assignment.
MAKE-UPS ON EXAMS:
    1. There is no such thing as a "make-up" on an exam in this class. Exams will be posted for a limited time (usually 6-7 days), and may be completed at any time during that period. As soon as that time period is over, keys will be posted and no one else will be permitted to take the exam.


STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:

If you have a disability and need an accommodation, please make arrangements to meet with me outside of class to discuss your accommodations. If it is a Distance class, please email me and I will call you if we need additional clarification. PCC Students requesting accommodations must provide documentation of disability and work with The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) at 977-4341 or http://www.pcc.edu/pcc/res/osdserv.htm .

FLEXIBILITY STATEMENT :

Asssignment/Exam calendars may be changed in response to institutional, weather or class problems.

 


CLASS EXPECTATIONS FOR DISTANCE and "HYBRID" SECTIONS

  1. Time Commitment: If you were taking this course in the classroom, as a 3 or 4 credit course in CAS or CIS you would have about 6 hours of class time per week with the instructor, not including homework. This also does not include time to do the reading, to complete homework started in class, or additional study time to read the material and understand the concepts, which may easily take 2 to 6 additional hours each week. Therefore you should expect to spend 8-12 hours per week on this class. Those of you taking "hybrid" sections of my classes that meet once per week will probably be able to reduce the amount of work at home by 2 hours or so. Some weeks you may complete the assignments in less time; other weeks it may take considerably longer. Be sure to budget your time accordingly, and do not wait until the last minute to start an assignment!

  2. Login requirements: You are expected to "log in" to the class (the course WebCT site) and check your regular email AT LEAST every other day (every 2 days) while the course is in session.  This includes doing all of the following:

    1. Read any Announcements I have posted on the Home Page (these may be at the top of the page, in pop-ups, or in links)
    2. Read any new messages on the Bulletin (Discussion) Board, and respond to any that you can help with*
    3. Read any email that has been sent to you by me. When I have something particularly important to tell the class, I will send an email to the entire class using the email address(es) you entered on the Update Personal Information form (you will fill this out in the first assignment). I may also send you messages if I have questions about your performance in the class or about an assignment.

      * If you do this frequently, it will be easy to keep up with the messages and you will get "hints" on how to complete your assignments when they are most useful to you. If you wait too long, the number of messages can be overwhelming and you will not receive the benefit of this information.

  3. When to Start an Assignment: I highly recommend that you read and/or print out the current assignment as soon as possible after it is posted. Then begin reading through the chapter(s) and working through the assignments early in the week. If you do a little bit each day, or every other day, it should not be difficult to keep up with the course, but you will not be able to complete my assignments in one evening. Also, if you start early in the week you won't have problems meeting the deadlines if you run into problems with your computer or the assignment, or if you need to wait to have your questions answered.

  4. Computer Problems: If your computer stops working correctly during the course, or you cannot connect to the Internet, please do not wait to fix your computer before you start on an assignment! Instead, go to one of the computer labs at the nearest PCC campus to you (Computer Resource Center, CAS Lab or CIS Lab) to complete the assignment, well ahead of the time it is due.

My classes are not "easy", but you will learn a lot (and have a lot more fun!) if you put a lot of work into them. Like most other things in life, the amount you get out of it will depend on how much you put into it.


REQUIRED STATEMENTS:

Course drop/withdraw deadlines: http://www.pcc.edu/enroll/registration/dropping.html

Instructional ADA statement: Students who experience disability-related bnarriers should contact Disability Services (http://www.pcc.edu/disability). If students elect to use approved academic adjustments, they must provide in advance formal notification from Disability Services to the instructor.

Title IX/Nondiscrimination Statement: Portland Community College is committed to creating and fostering a learning and working environment based on open communication and mutual respect. If you believe you have encountered sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual assault, or discrimination based on race, color, religion, age, national origin, veteran status,sex, sexualorientation, gender identity, or disability please contact the Office of Equity and Inclusion at (971) 722-5840 or equity.inclusion@pcc.edu.

Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook: Students are required to comply with the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook (http://www.pcc.edu/about/policy/student-rights). The Handbook includes the Code of Student Conduct and the Academic Integrity Policy.

Flexibility statement: The instructor reserves the right to modify course content and/or substitute assignments and learning activities in response to institutional, weather or class situations.

Recording and distribution of course sessions: Students who wish to make an auditory or visualrecording of any portion of the class must speak with the instructor ahead of time.  Any such recording is for personal use only. It may not be shared, copied, uploaded to the Internet, and/or distributed without written permission from the instructor as well as any student who appears or is heard in the recording.